Monday, October 18, 2010

WITH US IN THE PIT

Last week most of the entire civilized world watched the rescue of the 33 trapped Chilean miners. It was emotionally moving to see each of them come to the surface and immediately show their relief and gratitude. Most of the world, however, missed the fact that each miner emerged wearing a shirt that said, "Thank you Lord" on the front, and on the back, "To Him be the glory and honor." On one sleeve of each shirt was the name "Jesus." 

It's obvious all these miners were grateful to God for saving them. One of them told a reporter, "God and the devil were fighting over me and God won."  Another said, "I always knew they would get me out. I always had faith in the professionals here in Chile and in the Great Creator." Another miner, when he came to the surface, knelt down to pray and pointed to heaven, giving thanks to God. The youngest miner, 19-year-old Jimmy Sanchez, had written a letter that was sent up to the surface prior to their rescue that said, "There are actually 34 of us, because God has never left us down here."

It doesn't matter that the press didn't report this, but we can be sure that faith in Christ surely was the center of life for those 33 men as they endured the 68 days of being trapped a half mile underground. Being no fan of the deep underground, I can hardly imagine how they would have gotten through those days without trusting in Christ.

There are many times in life when we are faced with forces beyond our control. Waiting for government to act, waiting for help to come, or struggling to find a solution that eludes us, we must rely on help from the One who has the whole world in His hands. Sometimes help comes quickly, but however long it takes, we must wait and trust in God's best solution and in His best time.

Psalm 31:15 says, "My times are in Your Hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me." We truly give thanks when people are rescued from disaster by brave and resourceful people such as we saw in Chile. May we, like Jimmy Sanchez, also realize there is another One with us when we feel trapped, One who will never leave us nor forsake us, One who will bring us to the surface and to the Light.

To Him be the glory and honor!

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